Cleaner Cars

April 26, 1992|By -An editorial by the Providence (R.I.) Journal.

American automakers have fretted for years as clean-air regulations tightened. Their claim: Stiffer rules on exhaust emissions add costs, hurting profits and sales. More or less reluctantly, manufacturers have gone along.

Facing even stricter auto emission rules in coming years, auto manufacturers may be shedding their reluctance. Ford Motor Co., eyeing the lucrative California market, has just introduced two new models engineered to comply with the Golden State`s toughest-in-the-nati on pollutant emission standards. Since those rules do not take effect until 1997, Ford is beating the regulatory deadline by a full four years.

Although the special-for-California models will cost a customer no more than models equipped for other states, the added per-vehicle cost to Ford is estimated at about $100. While its California models will deliver about one mile less per gallon, they also will produce only about half of the polluting emissions permitted under present California law. Further refinements in existing catalytic converters, says Ford, underlie the improvements.

Since other smog-prone regions (including the Northeast) are considering adopting California`s strict air standards themselves, Ford`s initiatives takes on national significance. A major manufacturer, without being threatened or cajoled, has seen the good sense of engineering vehicle improvements on its own. Result: cleaner air sooner.

What had once been seen as an improbably difficult goal has now been shown to be achievable-and soon.